In one of Shaykh Muhammad Mukhtar al-Shanqiti’s tapes on ‘Yaqin’ (certainty), he mentions the story of a scholar who was once afflicted with poverty…
The scholar had just completed writing the tafseer of the Qur’an but due to his poor income, he was unable to publish his work. So he went and sought counsel from his brethren, students and teachers. They directed him to man who possessed much wealth and riches saying ‘Go to so-and-so, he’ll provide you with some money so you can publish your work.’
The scholar went and rented a ship, embarking on his journey and going by sea. However, it was by the Mercy and Divine Plan of Allah `azza wa jall that as he set off, he saw a man walking along the seashore. He ordered the captain of the ship to let this man get on and ride along with them. When the man got on, the scholar asked, ‘Who are you?’ He said, ‘I am so-and-so (mentioning his name).’ The man then asked, ‘Where are you going (i.e. where is the ship destined?).’ The scholar said, ‘I am going to so-and-so in search of his assistance in publishing my book.’ The man said, ‘I hear you have interpreted the Qur’an?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ The man said, ‘Subhan Allah, how did you interpret the statement of Allah `azza wa jall,
إيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإيَّاكَ نَسْتعِينُ
‘You do we worship and only in You do we seek Help.’
[Surah al-Fatiha]
The scholar provided the man with the tafseer of the verse, but he understood the intent that lay behind the question. So he said to the captain of the ship, ‘Take me back to my house.’
May Allah have mercy upon him; despite his needy state, he returned to his house, but with his heart filled with certainty that Allah `azza wa jall would surely suffice him, take him out of this poverty and ease his affairs.
No more than 3 days had passed by when a man knocked on his door. He opened it and the man said, ‘I’ve come with a message from so-and-so. News has reached him that you have authored a tafseer of the Qur’an which he would like to see.’ Incredibly, this turned out to be the same man whom the scholar had set off to meet and get help from! So he gave the tafseer to the messenger who took it back with him. When the wealthy man read it, he was filled with amazement and admiration, causing him to return a pouch filled with gold and riches to the poor scholar.
We should never forget…
ما أيقن الإنسان بالله عز وجل فخيّبه الله سبحانه وتعالى
‘A person has never held certainty in Allah `azza wa jall only for Allah to disappoint him.’ Never will Allah disappoint those with yaqeen (certainty), tawakkul (reliance) and husn al-dhann (good opinion) of Him.
Asalamu Aleykum warehmatulahi wabarakatuhu,
Just out of curiousity, if you know the name of the poor scholar would it be possible to add it in the article. Otherwise, it is one of much importance. May Allah (SWT) grant you succes in your efforts.
I have another question if you are able to answer.
How should one deal with the fitna of the wicked scholar? This question can actually be broken down in many parts including, “How should one choose a scholar or a student of knowledge to listen to not knowing their lineage of knowledge?” I hope I do not cause any hardship by asking such a question.
JazakAllhukhairun
Wasalamwarehmatula wabarakatuhu
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barkaatuh,
Nice story. May Allaah guide us to increase in yaqeen, tawakkal and husn Al Dhann. Ameen.
Jazaaki Allaahu khayr
Assalaamu alaykum
walekum salaam wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuhu ukhti
MashAllah
Amazing story.
JazakAllahu khair.
a narration is there to testify this:
“Whoso has got hunger or need and then conceals it from men, it becomes the duty of The Glorious & Almighty Allaah to give him provision of an year from lawful things.”
May Allaah grant to us the patience to rely on Him ALONE…..
Was-Salaam
As-salaam-u-alaikum
Excellent story…
Can i have permission to publish this story in my blog:
http://ipcblogger.net/saleha/
Please mail me the reply.
Jazakum Allah Khair
May Allah help us practice what we learn and help us to spread it to people with sincere intentions. And may Allah grant us all His Pleasure and His Paradise and may He, the Most Merciful, the Forgiver, forgive our sins and save us from attaining His Displeasure or Hell-Fire. Ameen ya Rabb al-‘Alamin !!!
jazaakillaahu khayran
Muhibbullah, I’m not sure who the scholar is. I heard that it could be al-Baydhawi, but will need to confirm that. As for taking from the ‘ulema, keep your options open and I would say go with those of good akhlaq and correct understanding/belief. It’s a big question and depends on a person’s circumstances, location etc – sometimes, we just don’t have a choice in who we study from.
Renfeer, do you know where that narration is found?
Saleha, I’ve emailed you.
i had written it down long back……chances are that it was taken from Mishkat Al Masaabeeh…..back in those days – i never took down the references as i wasnt exposed to the dangers of taking knowledge from here & there……just that whenever i came across something which caught my eyes, i would record it.
sorry couldnt be of help in tracing out…..
We are discussing Yaqeen, so I think, for those who are looking for a righteous scholar, just try to see how good one is, in his understanding and akhlaq, pray to Allah SWT for help in the choice, and then just have Yaqeen and tawakkul. Just leave yourself in His hands, for He knows best, AND is most merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah,
Thank for for this post. Barakallahu feek. May I ask whether the quotation at the end is from a hadeeth? Or is it the statement of a scholar? This one:
ما أيقن الإنسان بالله عز وجل فخيّبه الله سبحانه وتعالى
‘A person has never held certainty in Allah `azza wa jall only for Allah to disappoint him.’ Never will Allah disappoint those with yaqeen (certainty), tawakkul (reliance) and husn al-dhann (good opinion) of Him.
Wa `alaykumusalam wa rahmatullah,
That was a statement of Shaykh Muhammad Mukhtar al-Shinqiti in his audio/lecture which the incident was taken from.
Wa fik barak’Allah.